Local cyclists took to the bikeways in May in record-breaking numbers for the annual Bike to Work Week campaign presented by the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) and Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD).
Following the conclusion of Bike to Work Week, which inspired commuters to try biking as a travel option, final tallies revealed the most online participation and “pit stop” event attendance in campaign history with increases of 51 percent and 71 percent, respectively. The campaign ran from May 12-16.
The “pit stops” were held during morning commute hours in Fillmore (May 12), Oxnard (May 13), Ventura (May 15), and Thousand Oaks (May 16). During these events, attendees received free bike tune-ups courtesy of local bike shops, breakfast refreshments, and bike-related giveaways. “Between the increased participation and the feedback we received at each event, we are extremely encouraged about the future of local cycling,” noted VCTC Executive Director Darren Kettle. “VCTC is committed to improving our bikeways and identifying ways to make biking to work an effective commute option.”
Participants were invited to fill out a short entry form at www.GoVentura.org for the chance to win one of the items in this year’s prize pool. Entries were received from cyclists commuting to local worksites from communities across Ventura County.
This year’s prizes consisted of a new bicycle (via $500 gift certificate to Trek Bicycles of Ventura), presented to Mark B. of Ventura; a Garmin GPS Device, awarded to Angelica C. of Oxnard; two cellphone mounts won by Sheri S. of Thousand Oaks and Joe C. of Simi Valley; and two VISA gift cards in the amounts of $100, awarded to Chris N. of Camarillo, and $50, awarded to Thomas E. of Port Hueneme.
“Bike to Work Week is becoming established as an annual tradition – and a highly anticipated one,” Kettle added. “We can’t wait to beginning planning for 2015.”
